Table 1
Testators By Gender (1831—1835)
MaleTestators / Female Testators
Totals (31) / 83.9% (26) / 16.1% (5)
Table 2
Testators By Gender (1841—1845)
MaleTestators / Female Testators
Totals (79) / 86.1% (68) / 13.9% (11)
Table 3
Testators By Gender
(1831—1835 & 1841—1845)
MaleTestators / Female Testators
Totals (110) / 85.5% (94) / 14.5% (16)
Table 4
Testators Who Owned People (1831—1835)
Male (26) / 92.3% (24)Female (5) / 60.0% (3)
Total (31) / 87.0% (27)
Table 5
Testators Who Owned People (1841—1845)
Male (68) / 75.0% (51)Female (11) / 72.7% (8)
Total (79) / 74.6% (59)
Table 6
Testators Who Owned People
(1831—1835 & 1841—1845)
Owned PersonsMales (94) / 79.7% (75)
Females (16) / 68.7% (11)
Totals (110) / 78.1% (86)
Table 7
Number of Slaves Owned by Testator, Federal Census (1831—1835)
1 / 2—5 / 6—10 / 11—20 / 21—30 / 31+ / UnknownMales (24) / 0.0% (0) / 25.0%(6) / 16.6%(4) / 4.1% (1) / 4.1% (1) / 4.1%(1) / 45.8% (11)
Females (3) / 33.3%(1) / 0.0%(0) / 33.3%(1) / 0.0%(0) / 0.0%(0) / 0.0%(0) / 33.3% (1)
Totals (27) / 3.7% (1) / 22.2%(6) / 18.5%(5) / 3.7% (1) / 3.7% (1) / 3.7% (1) / 44.4% (12)
Table 8
Number of Slaves Owned by Testator, Federal Census (1841—1845)
1 / 2—5 / 6—10 / 11—20 / 21—30 / 31+ / UnknownMales (51) / 13.7% (7) / 25.4% (13) / 9.8% (5) / 25.4% (13) / 7.8% (4) / 5.8% (3) / 11.7% (6)
Females (8) / 25.0% (2) / 37.5% (3) / 12.5% (1) / 0.0% (0) / 12.5% (1) / 0.0% (0) / 12.5% (1)
Totals (59) / 15.2% (9) / 27.1% (16) / 10.1% (6) / 22.0% (13) / 8.4% (5) / 5.0% (3) / 11.8% (7)
Table 9
Number of Slaves Owned by Testator, Federal Census (1831—1835 & 1841—1845)
1 / 2—5 / 6—10 / 11—20 / 21—30 / 31+ / UnknownMales (75) / 9.3% (7) / 25.3% (19) / 12.0% (9) / 18.6% (14) / 6.6% (5) / 5.3% (4) / 22.6% (17)
Females (11) / 27.2% (3) / 27.2% (3) / 18.1% (2) / 0.0% (0) / 9.0% (1) / 0.0% (0) / 18.1% (2)
Totals (86) / 11.6% (10) / 25.5% (22) / 12.7% (11) / 16.2% (14) / 6.9% (6) / 4.6% (4) / 22.0% (19)
** The “unknown” category includes those who noted slaves, but no number.
Table 10
Objects of Bounty of Married Testators, 1831—1835
Spouse / Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesMale (18) / 94.4% (17) / 77.7% (14) / 22.2% (4) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Female (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (18) / 94.4% (17) / 77.7% (14) / 22.2% (4) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
o The phrase, “close relatives,” means close relatives other than children. It includes grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and parents.
o The phrase, “other persons,” includes nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, persons owned, and friends of the testator.
Table 11
Objects of Bounty, Married Testators, 1841—1845
Spouse / Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesMale (49) / 100.0%(49) / 87.7% (43) / 24.4% (12) / 18.3% (9) / 2.0% (1)
Female (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (49) / 100.0%(49) / 87.7% (43) / 24.4% (12) / 18.3% (9) / 2.0% (1)
o The phrase, “close relatives,” means close relative other than children. It includes grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and parents.
o The phrase, “other persons,” includes nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, persons owned, and friends of the testator.
Table 12
Objects of Bounty of Married Testators, 1831—1835 & 1841—1845
Spouse / Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesMale (67) / 98.5% (66) / 85.0% (57) / 23.8% (16) / 13.4% (9) / 1.4% (1)
Female (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (67) / 98.5% (66) / 85.0% (57) / 23.8% (16) / 13.4% (9) / 1.4% (1)
Table 13
Distribution to Widows
Portion of the Estate Conveyed to the Spouse
Amongst Married Testators,
1831—1835
Entire Estate / Greater than 1/3rd / 1/3rd or Less / Did not ProvideMales (18) / 38.8% (7) / 50.0% (9) / 5.5% (1) / 5.5% (1)
Females (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (18) / 38.8% (7) / 50.0% (9) / 5.5% (1) / 5.5% (1)
Table 14
Distribution to Widows,
Portion of the Estate Conveyed to the Spouse
Amongst Married Testators,
1841—1845
Entire Estate / Greater than 1/3rd / 1/3rd or Less / Did not ProvideMales (49) / 34.6% (17) / 59.1% (29) / 6.1% (3) / 0.0% (0)
Females (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (49) / 34.6% (17) / 59.1% (29) / 6.1% (3) / 0.0% (0)
Table 15
Distribution to Widows,
Portion of the Estate Conveyed to the Spouse
Amongst Married Testators,
1831—1835 & 1841—1845
Entire Estate / Greater than 1/3rd / 1/3rd or Less / Did not ProvideMales (67) / 35.8% (24) / 56.7% (38) / 5.9% (4) / 1.4% (1)
Females (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (67) / 35.8% (24) / 56.7% (38) / 5.9% (4) / 1.4% (1)
Table 16
Interest Conveyed to the Spouse,
1831—1835
Widowhood / Life / Fee Simple / Not SpecifiedMales (18) / 16.7% (3) / 44.4% (8) / 33.3% (6) / 5.6% (1)
Females (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (18) / 16.7% (3) / 44.4% (8) / 33.3% (6) / 5.6% (1)
o “Widowhood” means the spouse possesses the property until she dies or remarries.
o Property is classified as “fee simple” when a testator left property to his spouse and did not indicate any condition that would cause the property to revert to the estate or pass to another beneficiary.
Table 17
Interest Conveyed to the Spouse,
1841—1845
Widowhood / Life / Fee Simple / Not SpecifiedMales (49) / 42.9% (21) / 36.7% (18) / 20.4% (10) / 0.0% (0)
Females (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (49) / 42.9% (21) / 36.7% (18) / 20.4% (10) / 0.0% (0)
** 3 testators were placed in the fee simple category even though they used their children turning a certain age as a condition for distribution. For two of them, the wife received an equal share amongst her children at that point. For the other, what was to occur at that point was not explained.
Table 18
Interest Conveyed to the Spouse,
1831—1835 & 1841—1845
Widowhood / Life / Fee Simple / Not SpecifiedMales (67) / 35.8% (24) / 38.8% (26) / 23.9% (16) / 1.5% (1)
Females (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (67) / 35.8% (24) / 38.8% (26) / 23.9% (16) / 1.5% (1)
Table 19
Objects of Bounty, of Unmarried Testators, 1831—1835
Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesMales (8) / 62.5% (5) / 50.0% (4) / 37.5% (3) / 0.0% (0)
Females (5) / 80.0% (4) / 60.0% (3) / 20.0% (1) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (13) / 69.2% (9) / 53.8% (7) / 30.7% (4) / 0.0% (0)
Table 20
Objects of Bounty of Unmarried Testators, 1841—1845
Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesMale (19) / 47.3% (9) / 57.8% (11) / 36.8% (7) / 21.0% (4)
Female (11) / 81.8% (9) / 100.0% (11) / 18.1% (2) / 9.0% (1)
Totals (30) / 60.0% (18) / 73.3% (22) / 30.0% (9) / 16.6% (5)
Table 21
Objects of Bounty of Unmarried Testators, 1831—1835 & 1841—1845
Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesMales (27) / 51.8% (14) / 55.5% (15) / 37.0% (10) / 14.8% (4)
Females (16) / 81.2% (13) / 87.5% (14) / 18.7% (3) / 6.2% (1)
Totals (43) / 62.7% (27) / 67.4% (29) / 30.2% (13) / 11.6% (5)
Table 22
Patterns of Bequest of Slaves By Testators
Owning Twenty Persons or Fewer
(1831—1835 & 1841—1845)
Spouse / Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesTotal (57) / 61.4% (35) / 78.9% (45) / 38.5% (22) / 24.5% (14) / 7.0% (4)
o There were a total of 57 testators in both the 1831—1835 and 1841—1845 groups who owned 20 persons or less.
o This table does not distinguish between male and female.
o This table does not take into account whether the testator was single or married.
o This table was designed for the purpose of contrasting distribution patterns amongst those testators who did not own many persons with those testators who did (see previous table).
o This table does not account for the “unknown” category in the previous slave tables. Therefore, a concrete number of persons owned was a prerequisite to be included in this table.
o As with other tables, it is possible for the testator to be grouped into more than one category.
o The category, “Charity and/or Freed Slaves,” includes those testators who made bequests to charity, as well as those who intended to emancipate their slaves, regardless of whether such persons were placed in trust, given to a specific individual or organization, or simply set free.
Table 23
Distribution Patterns of Slaves By Testators
Owning More than Twenty Persons
(1831—1835 & 1841—1845)
Spouse / Children / Close Relatives / Other Persons / Charity and/or Freed SlavesTotal (10) / 60.0% (6) / 70.0% (7) / 80.0% (8) / 20.0% (2) / 20.0% (2)
o There were a total of 10 testators in both the 1831—1835 and 1841—1845 groups who owned more than 20 persons.
o This table does not distinguish between male and female.
o This table does not take into account whether the testator was single or married.
o This table was designed for the purpose of contrasting distribution patterns amongst those testators who owned many persons with those testators who did not (see next table).
o This table does not account for the “unknown” category in the previous slave tables. Therefore, a concrete number of persons owned was a prerequisite to be included in this table.
o As with other tables, it is possible for the testator to be grouped into more than one category.
o The category, “Charity and/or Freed Slaves,” includes those testators who made bequests to charity, as well as those who intended to emancipate their slaves, regardless of whether such persons were placed in trust, given to a specific individual or organization, or simply set free.
Table 24
Favored v. Equal Distribution Amongst Married and Widowed
Testators with More than One Child (1831—1835)
Favored Distribution / EqualDistribution
Males (17) / 17.6% (3) / 82.3% (14)
Females (4) / 25.0% (1) / 75.0% (3)
Totals (21) / 19.0% (4) / 81.0% (17)
o There were a total of 31 testators in the 1831—1835 group.
o Of these 31, 21 testators (67.7%) were either married or widowed with more than one child.
§ 17 males were either married or widowed with more than one child.
§ All 4 females were widowed.
Table 25
Favored v. Equal Distribution Amongst Married and Widowed
Testators with More than One Child (1841—1845)
Favored Distribution / EqualDistribution
Males (50) / 12.0% (6) / 88.0% (44)
Females (7) / 57.1% (4) / 42.9% (3)
Totals (57) / 17.5% (10) / 82.5% (47)
o There were a total of 79 testators in the 1831—1835 group.
o Of these 79, 57 testators (72.1%) were either married or widowed with more than one child.
§ 50 males were either married or widowed with more than one child.
§ All 7 females were widowed.
Table 26
Favored v. Equal Distribution Amongst Married and Widowed
Testators with More than One Child
(1831—1835 & 1841—1845)
Favored Distribution / EqualDistribution
Males (67) / 13.4% (9) / 86.6% (58)
Females (11) / 45.5% (5) / 54.5% (6)
Totals (78) / 17.9% (14) / 82.1% (64)
o There were a total of 110 testators in the entire study.
o Of these 110, 78 testators (70.9%) were either married or widowed with more than one child.
§ 67 males were either married or widowed with more than one child.
§ All 11 females were widowed.
Table 27
Use of Trusts and Their Purposes (1831—1835)
General Support / Educational / EmancipationMales (8) / 62.5% (5) / 37.5% (3) / 0.0% (0)
Females (1) / 100.0% (1) / 0.0% (0) / 0.0% (0)
Totals (9) / 66.7% (6) / 33.3% (3) / 0.0% (0)
o There were a total of 31 testators in the 1831—1835 group.
o Of these 31, 9 testators (29.0%) employed trusts in the terms of their wills.
§ 8 males employed a trust(s) in the terms of their wills.
§ 1 female employed a trust in the terms of her wills.
· There were 9 trust purposes in this period. This came out evenly—one type of trust for each type of testator (contrast with 1841—1845 group).
o The phrase, “general support,” includes those trusts that were designated for the benefit of the testator’s wife, children, or minor persons.
o The term, “educational or special intent” trust, includes those trusts whose proceeds were to be applied toward the educational expenses of a person denoted by the testator.
o The term, “emancipation” trust, includes those trusts whose sole purpose was to free a person or persons owned by the testator, as well as those provisions providing some sort of monetary support to the person owned.